Means for recording telephonic messages



July 19, 1949 B. sxLvERMASTl-:R

vMEANS FOR-RECORDING TELEPHONIC MESSAGES Filed Dec. 18, 1945 Patented July 19, 1949 UNITED STATES 2,476,327 OFFICE ATENT MEANS FOR RECORDING TELEPHONIC MESSAGES (Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 370 O. G. 757) 15 Claims.

The invention described herein may be manufactored and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes, without the paymentof any royalty thereon.

The subject invention concerns a system for recording telephonie messages at the called telephone in the absence of any attendant at such telephone.

The recording is accomplished through the use at the called telephone of means which are not responsive to the normal ringing current supplied to the called telephone but are responsive to a modication in the character of the ringing current, Upon such modication, the recording'l means may be introduced into the circuit at the discretion of the calling party in order that a message which such party wants to leave at the called telephone may be recorded.

The drawing shows the system arrangement.

The calling telephone I and the called telephone 23 are both conventional instruments. Calling telephone IIl includes a dial II. Lines I2 and I3 are conventional lines connecting calling telephone Ill with central exchange I4. Similarly, the called telephone 23 is connected to central exchange I4, on one side through conventional lines 22 and 84, and on the other side, when switch 25 is on contact 31, through lines 2| and 24. Central exchange I4 includes a conventional ringing generator I6 which is located in circuit I and which, by closing switch I1, may be put into operation to supply normal ringing current to lines 2I and 22. Central exchange I4 also includes a ringing generator I9 which is located in circuit I8 and which may be put into operation by closing switch 20, to cause a modil'lcation of the character of the ringing current supplied to lines 2I and 22. In place of a separate ringing generator I9, however, the character of the ringing current produced by ringing generator I6 itself may be modified.

When switch is closed on contact 31, the operation of the called telephone 23 in the usual manner will be possible. However, when switch 25 is connected with contact 36, the recording means are in position to operate. Normally-open relay 28 is connected on one side to line 2l, through conductors 29 and 30, contact 36 and switch 25, and on the other side to line 22, through conductor 3|, condenser 32 and conductor 35. In conductor 26, which connects with line 8l, one side of the power supply circuit, there is a contact 38 in position to be connected with switch 33 upon operation of relay 28. Spring 34 holds switch 33 in normally open position. Switch 33 is connected through conductor 39 to one side of motor 4I). The other side of motor 48 is connected through conductor 21 to line 82, which is the other side of the power supply circuit.

Motor 46 is connected by means of shaft 4I to gear 43 which is part of a train of gears including also gears 42, 44, and 45. Attached to gear 42 is a dog 83 which is designed to cause switch 48 to engage contact 50 when the gear train has moved a predetermined distance. Attached to gear 4d is a spring 46 intended to return the gear train to its original position when there is no current flowing through motor 40. Attached to gear is a governor 41 intended to regulate the rate of return of the gear train to its original position.

Relay 65 is also of the normally open type, being held in such position by spring 62, which is attached to the multi-sectional switch arm 58. Switch arm 58 includes conducting portions 55, '56 and 5l, and insulating portions 59, 60 and 6|. Conducting portion 55 is connected through lead 63 to conductors 5I and 64. Conductor 5I is connected to switch 49, and conductor 64 to one side of relay 65. Conducting portion 56 is connected through conductor 12 to line 8|. Conducting portion 51 is connected through conductor 13 to conductors 29 and 30. In position to be contacted by switch arm 58 when the relay ,l is operated, are contacts 52, '53, and 54. Contact 52 is connected through conductor 1I to conductors 18 and 48. Contacts 53 and 54 are connested to conductors 11 and 18, respectively. The other side of relay 65 is connected through `conductor 66 to one side of battery 61, the other side of which is connected to conductor 68.

It would, of course, be possible to use a single source of power in place of the two sources consisting of the power supply circuit including lines 8l and 82, and of the battery 61.

Recorder 14 is in general of a -conventional type including a motor 15, a recorder head 16, and conventional means for changing the record. Recorder 14 includes also normally-closed switch 69 which is momentarily opened upon completion of recording of a message, and which is connected through conductor 10 to conductors 48 and 1l. Contact 85 designed to be engaged by switch 69 is connected to conductor 68. Motor 15 is connected onone side through conductor to line 82, and on the other side to conductor 11. Recorder head 16 is connected with conductors 18 and 19.

The method of operation of the system is as follows:

Let it be assumed that switch 25 is engaged with contact 31. In this situation the functioning of the telephone system is thoroughly conventional.

However, if switch 25 is engaged with contact 36, applicants system is in position to function. Upon closure of switch I1, normal ringing current, which is -composed of a series of pulses, is supplied by ringing generator I6 through circuit I5, conductor 2l, switch 25, contact 36, conductors 30 and` 29; to relay 28, and: then through conductor 3-I., condenser:Y 32, conductor: 35, line 22, and circuit I5, back to ringing generator I6.

As is well known, there is an indication at the calling telephone when the called,y telephone is being rung. When relay 28 is in the circuit, this normal indication at the calling end is somewhat modified` The calling party isthus informed that a recording system is available at thecalledv end for the purpose of recording any message which such party may desire to leave. Ifthev calling party wishes to leave a` message, a predetermined symbol may be dialed, on, dial I,I; at the calling end. The system may be so arranged either that this automatically causes the additional ring-ing generator I9 to be brought into the circuit through closure of switch 2l), or simply advises an operator at the central exchange I4, that the calling party wishes to leave a message at the called end. In the latter case, the operator at the central exchange would, of course, arrange to close the switch 20.

When normal ringing current is supplied to relay 28; as described above, switch 33 engages contact 38 each time that a pulse of ringing current passes through the relay. Each such engagement closes the circuit through the motor 46 by way of line 8I, conductor 26, contact 38, switch 33, conductors 39` and 2l, and line 82; Motor 46 operates the gear trainin such a way as to cause gear 42 to rotate in a clockwise direction. As a result of the action of spring 46 in tending to restore the gear train to its original position after it has moved from such position, the gear train does not advancesuiioiently far, when normal ringing current is suppliedto relay 2,8, to cause switch 49 to engage contact 50.

If, however, switch 26 isY closed to cause additional ringing generator I9 to be brought into the circuit in place of ringing generator I 6, the pulses of l ringing current-supplied to relay 28. are longer duration than when normal ringing current is being supplied. As a result of this modification in ringing current, the gear train is able to ad- Vance to a suiricient degree, even against the action of spring 46, to-permit dog83-to move switch 49 into Acontactwitlfi contact 5l).

In place ofrelay 28, motor.4.0, the gear train and the accompanying circuit connections, which are Ydescribed above, other means whichwould'be responsive to speciaLbut not tov normal-ringing current could be provided to close switch 49,

Suchother means couldalso be so constructed that the` special ringing current-Would differ from the normal ringing current insome way other than inincreased-duration of the pulsesof'current.

When switch 49 engages contact 50,l a circuit is closed through relay 65-.by way of conductors I, 64 and 66, battery 67, conductor 68, contact 85, switch69 and conductors 'I6 and 48. The ow of current through the relay 65 causes switch arm 58ste .move into engagement with contacts 52, 53, and 54. Engagement of conducting portion 55 with contact 52 causes the circuit through the switch 49'and contact 50'to be short-circuited and the relay 65 to bemaintained -in closed position even after switch 49 has opened. Engagement of conducting portion 56 with contact 53 completes a circuit to motor T5, through line 8|, conductors '12, I'I and 80, and line 8 2; Engagement of conducting portion 51 with contact 54 completes a `circuit to `recorderhead I6 through line 2`2;-conductors 35, 'I9 and 18, contact 54, con- 4 ducting portion 51:, conductors: 1,3 and` 36, contact 36, switch 25, and; line 21,.y

Thus, through the closing of relay 65, the recorder is placed in operation to record the message which the, calling party wishes to leave. Ulpon completion of the message, the recorder causes the switch 69 to be momentarily opened. Opening of the switch 69 causes the circuit through the relay 65, and switch arm 58, to be opened, since the other relay closing circuit through switch 49 and contact 50 had already `been opened when the supply of ringing current to relay 28 had ended;

The system is thus placed in condition to record a new message.

What is claimed. is:

1. A system for recording telephonie messages comprising: a calling telephone; a called telephone; telephone circuit meansconnecting the two telephones, such telephone circuit means including means for selectively supplying normal or specialfringing current to suchI circuit means; recording means for recording a message passing through the telephone circuit means; additional circuit means forconnecting the recording means to the telephone circuit means, such additional circuitmeans including actuating means for initiating operation or the recording means and thus initiating recording off the message, the actuating means being operated by special but not by normal ringing current to initiate operation of the recording means; the actuating means, when supplied with normal ring-ing'current, also providing a distinctive indication, through the telephone circuit means, of the availability ofthe recording means, this distinctive indication being diierent. from the normal indication which is provided when the normal ringing current is being suppliedto the called telephone.

2. A system for recording telephonie messages comprising a calling telephone, a called telephone, telephone, circuit means connecting the two telephones, such telephone circuit means including means for selectively supplying normal or special ringing current to such circuit means, n source of power, arstnormally-open relay including awinding which is connected to the telephonel circuit means, and. also including a iirst normally-open relayl switch, suchV relay being operated by eitherznormal or. special ringing currentto close such first switch, recording means. including a recorder motorancl arecorder head, asecond normally-open relay; including awinding anda second normally-open relay switch, switch-closing means, in` series-'with the -source of power and thefirst relay, switch, such switchclosing means including a.fourth switch and meansfor closing such fourth switch-when kthe rst relay. switch ,is .closed by: passage of special ringing current throughthe Awinding -of4 the rst relay but notwhen. .the latteriswitch is closed by passage, ofnormal ringing-current through this winding, first YVcii.jcuit,.mea1f 1s for. connecting the winding of thesecond relay -in serieswith the fourth switch, with the source of power and with normallyclosed means .for momentarily opening such y.iirstcircuit means .upon lcompletion of recording of, a message,second normally-openaircuit means for short-,circuiting the fourth switch, thi-rd normally-open, circuit means .f or connecting the recorder head to-the telephone circuit means to record a messageoriginating-at the vcallingtelephone. and fourth normally-*open circuit means for connecting the recorder motor to tha.

source of power, the latter three circuit means including the second relay switch and being open when such switch is open and being closed when such switch is closed.

3. A system for recording telephonie messages, as described in claim 2, in which the special ringing current differs from the normal ringing current in providing pulses of current of longer duration than those of the latter, and in which the means for closing the fourth switch comprise a gear train having a certain original position and capable of closing this switch when driven a predetermined distance from such original position, means for driving this gear train, the latter means being operated upon closure of the first relay switch, and means for restoring the gear train to its original position when the rst relay switch is open and thus the means for driving the gear train are not being operated, such restoring means being so constructed that when normal ringing current is supplied to the rst relay winding, the gear train is not permitted to move far enough to close the fourth switch but suiiicient movement to close such switch is permitted when special ringing current is supplied to the rst relay winding.

4. A system for recording telephonie messages, as described in claim 2, in which the means for momentarily opening the first circuit means upon completion of recording of a message, comprise a normally-closed switch which is opened by the recording means.

5. A system for recording telephonie messages, as described in claim 2, in which the means for momentarily opening the rst circuit means upon completion of recording of a message, comprise a normally-closed switch which is opened by the recording means, and in which the special ringing current differs from the normal ringing current in providing pulses of current of longer duration than those of the latter, and in which the means for closing the fourth switch comprise a gear train having a certain original position and capable of closing this switch when driven a predetermined distance from such original position, means for driving this gear train, the latter means being operated upon closure of the first relay switch, and means for restoring the gear train to its original position when the first relay switch is open and thus the means for driving the gear train are not being operated, such restoring means being so constructed that when normal ringing current is supplied to the first relay winding, the gear train is not permitted to move far enough to close the fourth switch but suicient movement to close such switch is permitted when special ringing current is supplied to the first relay winding.

6. A system for recording telephonie messages comprising: a calling telephone; a called telephone; telephone circuit means connecting the two telephones, such telephone circuit means in: cluding means for selectively supplying normal or special ringing current to such circuit means; recording means for recording a message passing through the telephone circuit means; additional circuit means for connecting the recording means to the telephone circuit means, such additional circuit means including actuating means for initiating operation of the recording means and thus initiating recording of the message, the actuating means being operated by special but not by normal ringing current to initiate operation of the recording means; such additional circuit means also including means for maintaining the recording means in operation and thus continuing recording of the message, after the supply of special ringing current has ended.

7. A system for recording telephonie messages, as described in claim 6, in which the actuating means, when supplied with normal ringing current, also provide a distinctive indication, through the telephone circuit means, of the availability of the recording means, this distinctive indication being different from the normal indication which is provided when the normal ringing current is being supplied to the called telephone.

8. A system for recording telephonie messages, as described in claim 6, which includes means for disconnecting the recording means from the telephone circuit means when the recording of the message has been completed.

9. A system for recording telephonie messages, as described in claim 6, which includes means for disconnecting the recording means from the telephone circuit means when the recording of the message has been completed, these disconnecting means being operated by the recording means.

10. A system for recording telephonie messages comprising: a calling telephone; a called telephone; telephone circuit means connecting the two telephones, such telephone circuit means including means for selectively supplying normal or special ringing current to such circuit means; recording means; additional circuit means for connecting the recording means to the telephone circuit means, such additional circuit means normally being in open-circuit condition; circuitclosing means responsive, through connection with the telephone circuit means, to special but not to normal ringing current to close the circuit of such additional circuit means, thus connecting such recording means to the telephone circuit means so that such recording means may record a message originating at the calling telephone; such additional circuit means also including means for maintaining the circuit of such additional circuit means in closed condition and thus continuing recording of the message, after the supply of special ringing current has ended.

11. A system for recording telephonie messages, as described in claim 10, in which the circuitclosing means, when supplied with normal ringing current, also provides a distinctive indication, through the telephone circuit means, of the availability of the recording means, this distinctive indication being diierent from the normal indication which is provided when the normal ringing current is being supplied to the called telephone.

12. A system for recording telephonie messages, as described in claim 10, which includes means for disconnecting the recording means from the telephone circuit means when the recording of the message has been completed.

13. A system for recording telephonie messages comprising: a calling telephone which includes a transmitter; a called telephone; telephone circuit means connecting the two telephones, such telephone circuit means including means for selectively supplying normal or special ringing current to such circuit means; recording means for recording a message delivered to the transmitter of the calling telephone; additional circuit means for connecting the recording means to the telephone circuit means, such additional circuit means including actuating means for initiating operation of the recording means and thus initiating recording of the message, the actuating means being operated by special but not by normal ringing current to initiate operation of the i'ecoxrding means.; lsuch additional eircuit means also ncludngmeans `for ,maintaining the recording means :in .operation :and A,thus continuing :relcording Lof .the message, after `the L supply @f :spe- .oal ringing current has.ended.

.14.. A systemffor Xrecording ltelephonie messages,

asdescnibed in .claim :13, -n which the actuating means, when supplied with normal inging nurnsent, falso ,provide -a distinctive indication to athe .calling ftelephone `of .the availability :of the ireeording .fmeans, ,this vdistinctive lindication ,being diierent from the normal uindication which is provided when -the normal .ringing `ouzri'en: Vis :being .supplied 1to .the called telephone Al5.1\system .foreoatding .telephonie messages, as I described in .daim 13, ,which .includes .means fior discanneting :bhe recording means `from `the telephone y'oirout means when the V`recording vof the message has been completed.

vB'EJN'JAMIII' SILVERMASTER.

REFERENCES CITED The following ireetenes are :of :record in .the ville auf .'this ipaiient:

,1,952,280 Parker et fal. 4Mar. 27, .193.4 

